Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War
Kriegsmarine — Submarine

German submarine U-421

Type VIIC submarine

Displacement
757 long tons (769 t)
Length
67.1 m (220.1 ft)
Beam
6.2 m (20.3 ft)
Speed
17.7 knots (32.8 km/h, 20.4 mph)
Main gun
88 mm (3.5 in)

Service

  1. Kriegsmarine as U-42113 January 1943 — 29 April 1944471 days of the war
Type VIIC submarine Particulars
Name
U-421
Builder
Danziger Werft, Danzig
Ordered
10 April 1941
Laid down
20 January 1942
Launched
24 September 1942
Commissioned
13 January 1943
Fate
Sunk on 29 April 1944 in the Mediterranean in position 43 in an air raid by US aircraft.
By aircraft (1944)
Status
Wreck

Specifications

Displacement, surfaced
757 long tons (769 t)
Displacement, submerged
857 long tons (871 t)
Length
67.1 m (220.1 ft) OA
Beam
6.2 m (20.3 ft)
Draught
4.74 m (15.6 ft)
Speed
17.7 knots (32.8 km/h, 20.4 mph)
Range
8,500 nmi (15,742 km)
Main gun
88 mm (3.5 in)

U-421 was a Type VIIC submarine built for the Kriegsmarine. Danziger Werft, Danzig laid her keel on 20 January 1942. Launched on 24 September 1942, she entered service on 13 January 1943.

She was one of 612 ships of her class. The class followed the Type UB III, Vetehinen class and was succeeded by the Type XXI (Late-war replacement).

The boat displaced 757 long tons surfaced and 857 long tons submerged. She measured 67.1 m (220 ft) long with a beam of 6.2 m (20 ft). Her designed speed was 17.7 knots.

Her main battery was one 88 mm (3.5 in) guns.

She was in commission for 471 days of the Second World War.

She was sunk on 29 April 1944 by aircraft, at 43°07′N 5°55′E. The wreck survives.

Written from the harvested record. Every figure above is sourced; the wording is this site's own.

Armament and machinery

Armament and machinery
Propulsion
  • 2 shafts
  • 2 × diesel engines
  • 2 × electric motors
Power
  • 2800 - 3200 PS (diesels)
  • 750 PS (electric)
Armament
  • 5 × torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern)
  • 14 × 53.3 cm torpedoes
  • 1 × 8.8 cm SK L/45 deck gun (220 rounds)
  • various anti-aircraft guns

Sister ships

587 more in the class

Sources